Monti Mantrice Fleming, a Columbia 16-year-old who stood trial as an adult on murder charges, was found guilty yesterday in the shooting death of another teen in 2006 and faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.
A jury handed down the verdict yesterday - a day before the victim's 20th birthday - in Howard County Circuit Court after about four hours of deliberation.
Fleming was found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Shawn Edward Powell, 18, of Columbia after a fight at a Columbia housing complex in August 2006.
Fleming chased Powell and fired six shots, one of which struck and killed him, prosecutors said.
After the jury delivered its verdict, Fleming's mother, who sat near her son, softly said, "I love you." Fleming replied, "I love you, too" as sheriff's deputies led him away in handcuffs.
Powell's relatives expressed relief after the verdict.
"Big brother Ray Powell is happy," said Shawn Powell's older brother of himself. "He got justice."
Ru Sellars, who was Shawn Powell's roommate, said she feels for Fleming's family but is happy with the jury's decision.
"He was like my son," said Sellars, 29. After the verdict was announced, she put on a gold necklace adorned with a photograph of Powell and the words "R.I.P. Shawn Powell."
Prosecutors declined to comment until after sentencing, a spokesman for the Howard County state's attorney's office said.
Fleming's attorney, Joseph Murtha, tried to convince the jury in his closing argument yesterday that Fleming had no intention of killing Powell but instead acted recklessly.
Murtha said he was "disappointed" with the conviction for first-degree murder and plans to ask the judge to sentence Fleming to a program for youthful offenders at the Patuxent Institution in Jessup, where he would receive therapy and other services.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 16.
tyeesha.dixon@baltsun.com